Cable Management for Networks

Having a network system server room with a properly organized cable system should be the goal of all IT people.  Re-organizing hundreds of tangled network cables is not what would be called an enjoyable task, but unfortunately, it has to be done. It will make troubleshooting network problems easier and present a more professional appearance.

Most server rooms in small or medium businesses are usually built with little or no regard for cable management.  Most server areas probably started out small and expanded as requirements demanded. When problems occur, it can become a troubleshooting nightmare, particularly relating to network connectivity problems.
Here are some simple ways to make professional and organized patch panel:

•    Make a connectivity map. On paper, layout the location of all devices running in your environment and assign a number to each.

•    Use these numbers to tag each device along with their location on your patch panel.

•    Disconnect patch cables going from the patch panel to the switches. Now, route them in an orderly manner as they are re-plugged. If possible, use a color scheme for the patch cables to categorize devices.   For example, Servers use red cables, printers yellow and workstations blue.

•    Use the right lengths of cable – If only a foot-long patch cord is needed, use a foot-long patch cord and not a six-foot one.  But do route cables up and down on the sides of the rack instead of having loads of direct point-to-point wires.

Don’t run a direct connection straight across just because you don’t have a longer one in your hand. Get a longer one.

•    Use cable ties and clamps to neaten the network cables coming into the server room.

•    Label the RJ45 jacks in all locations with the same number as on the patch panel in the server room.  The will speed troubleshooting and location tracing.

•    Route all cables to the side of the rack before moving up or down to a switch. This prevents cables from over-lapping other ports and allows you to maintain a clean front panel where you can still reach into the panel to make changes.

The cost of cable management is so little compared to the labor involved in trying to locate a disconnected or broken cable.  Do it right and it will pay off!

About the Author

Donald Daugherty is owner of computerpartsplus.com, an Internet supplier of low cost computer parts and accessories. Quantity discounts are offered on all items.

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